HARARE: Bangladesh battled their way to 200-5 in their first innings against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at Harare Sports Club at lunch on Saturday.

This left them still 170 runs adrift of the hosts first innings total on Zimbabwe's return to the test arena after a six year enforced absence.

Honours were even in the first session. Bangladesh added 98 to their overnight score of 102-3, but for the loss of two more wickets.

Mahmudullah didn't last long as on 13 he was caught at square leg by Tino Mawoyo off Brian Vitori, to give the test debutant his third wicket.

Mohammad Ashraful resumed on 34 and took his score to 73 - his eighth Test half-century - before edging to wicketkeeper and former captain Tatenda Taibu off Elton Chigumbura after spending four hours and 18 minutes at the crease.

However, the hosts attack were unable to make any further inroads into the tourists batting order as Shakib Al-Haasan repelled their best efforts and was unbeaten on 40 at the break.

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